Utah

Thanks to Aunt Kay and her buddy passes, we were all able to take a trip to Utah over the weekend. It was fast and furious but my was it fun!

Getting on the plane both times was a bit crazy but we managed. I had two suitcases, two car seats, two kids, two backpacks, and a stroller. We looked ridiculous. Getting on the plane in Phoenix, Kelsey cried the whole way to the ticket counter as I  dragged, literally dragged, everything.  Madison completely covered in stuff and I needed about 4 more hands but we made it. I dont know how but we did.
Salt Lake was a little better because we had Aunt Kays helped but it was still a bit crazy.  I may or may not have, but most certainty did run into the automatic doors and knocked it off the track. Like the door stopped working all together. The glares from the 80 year old women who watched me do it kind of made the whole thing complete. And don't worry, I only dropped everything in the middle of the road twice. No one honked very loud.

And can I just say the girls were incredible on the plane. On the way home our DVD player died before take off and I had packed all of Kelsey's toys thinking that she would just watch a movie. I was freaking out but she did awesome. She colored in SkyMall, looked out the window, talked to the people around us (her ears didn't pop so she actually YELLED at them. It was hilarious) , and of course ate lots of snacks. It felt like all those years (okay 3) of making her just sit and wait paid off. I have always tried really hard to not use my phone as a source of entertainment. Clearly there is a time and a place, but in my house, that time and place is not every time you go to the store.  Kelsey has learned in a small way to entertain herself. Even at church, we are down to a fruit snack, scriptures, and a notebook with a pen. Lets be honest thought, Kelsey deserves all the credit. She is so awesome. And for the sake of being honest lets give a shout out to everyone around us who just smiled at my girls, talked them, picked up lose toys, and just tolerated Kelsey kicking their chair (I really was trying). Also a small shout out to the apple core that entertained Madison from Salt Lake to Phoenix.

Most of Utah was spent visiting the Wings, but we did get to see the Nelson side for a brief time at the Cougar Run. It sort of has randomly turned into a tradition.

Hailey and Whitley both won their races and did so super fast. I couldn't have stayed with Hailey if I wanted to. 

Ethan and I have not been as diligent with our running and the altitude made it much harder than its been in the past, but I still slipped in a third place with a 22:30. Not my best, but I don't think I can really complain when I only run like once a week. I would love to get back in shape though. This race killed me! 

We were really sad to miss the Snelsons this year, but it was so fun to see everyone else.

 

And then there was Kelsey's race. 

Lets get a little back story shall we. 

Ethan and I left Bountiful an hour and a half before the race started. We kept seeing signs on the freeway reading " Major Delays. Take Alt Route." We thought they were left from the night before or something because it was only 7:15 in the morning. There is no way those signs could be for us. 

Wrong! They were for us. We got to Scheels and traffic completely stopped. It was terrible. Apparently they are doing construction at the point of the mountain. Luckily Shara texted us so we were able to get off the freeway and go around the bad spots at IKEA, but by this point we were already 45 minutes behind schedule. 

Ethan pulled up to the track at 8:43, I grabbed Kelsey, and we sprinted across the field to the starting line. She didn't have time to say hi to friends, she didn't' have time to run around, and she didn't have time to put on her shirt. Plus she was seeing Norah and Ralphie for the first time in like 6 months so she got shy. Poor girl. As soon as they shot the gun, she started crying.  Under different circumstances, I know she would have had fun because every day since the race she plays "race" and runs around our kitchen and then gives herself a medal. Excuse me an amulet :) 

Regardless, we had a lot of fun and there was much laughter after her race.

You can tell how nervous she is in this picture. Not as nervous as the girl next to her, 772, true, but nervous all the same.

The Johnsons were at the race.  I miss this family.

Thanks for all the photos Ethan

Some people were much happier with their performances than others

I know right?!

Before we headed back to Bountiful we had a picnic with the Nellys up the Caynon. When I told Kelsey we were going to a park she goes " A park?! Its not too hot!!!"  Cute girl all messed up on her seasons. Utah did not disappoint with beautiful fall weather. I miss fall.

Dear Madison, you were asleep. Sorry we didn't wake you. Hopefully someday when you have children you will understand

The rest of the weekend was dedicated to baby Hayes and Wing family fun. Best weekend we have had in a long time.

I think I saw Kelsey once all weekend. Between Hannah and Emily and Holden and Harper and everyone else, Kelsey was occupied non stop for three straight days.

Okay Ill say it. My babies are so cute!

 

These girls were inseparable. It was adorable. 

 

 

The day that we left Kelsey came into the room while I was packing:

Mom, what are you doing?

Its time to go home Kels. I'm packing our suitcases.

Oh mom. Please let me stay with Harper

   (The kicker was that she said this through genuine tears. It tore my heart plain out)

Just a little bit of Rock Band and "I am a Tiger." (Eye of the tiger but who cares about lyrics right?)

We tried to get a good cousin picture and this is the best that we got

And then the other 75 looked something like this...

This was a little better. A little :)

Our attempts at family pictures. This is great except Ethan's halo

On Sunday we celebrated the October birthdays and no Wing party is complete without the Candy Bar game. I feel like I got Holden back for last year so all is right in the world. Does it matter that he is 6. No it does not.

Could you be cuter?! I think I love this picture because she is in the middle of climbing and exploring. She is so adventurous and just so happy. I hope to be like Kelsey someday when I grow up.

It was sad to leave, but Ethan had already left (on the 4 am flight) so it was exciting to see the lights of Phoenix and know that he was on the other end.

 

We were quite the show...